Increase in graphics card prices: what has really been happening since mid-January 2026

On the ZOTAC RTX 5060 Ti, the increase is sudden and recent.

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For weeks, the price was relatively stable, then suddenly exploded: we went from a range around 400–450 € to peaks flirting with much higher levels.

What is shocking here is the speed of the increase. We are not on a gradual rise linked to inflation, but on a real supply/demand imbalance.

The Gigabyte RTX 5080 AORUS MASTER shows another phenomenon:

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• a price already high,
• then a clear acceleration since January.

Temporary dips correspond to micro-restocks, but they are becoming shorter and shorter. The market absorbs everything very quickly, which pushes sellers to systematically raise their prices.

Clearly, we are dealing with a product where stock completely dictates the price, without any real psychological ceiling.

Many hoped that AMD would remain a more "wise" alternative. Bad news, the Sapphire RX 9070 XT follows exactly the same trend.

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The increase is a little more gradual, but continuous, with a price floor that rises week after week. Even when the market calms down slightly, prices don't really go down anymore.

The myth of "AMD cheaper" is seriously starting to crack.

The ZOTAC RTX 5070 Ti is a good example of trompe-l’oeil.

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For a moment, the price seems stable... then, starting from mid-January, the curve sharply rises.

What is interesting here is that the increase mainly affects the minimum price. In other words: even the "good deals" are disappearing.

There is not a single magic reason, but a well-known cocktail:

• lower stocks more than expected on certain references
• always ask very strong (gaming, creation, AI, resale)
• price adjustments resellers facing stockouts
• domino effect : when one model goes up, the others follow

And contrary to what one might think, this is not yet linked to a new global shortage. It is more of a market under permanent tension , where the slightest stock variation causes prices to jump.

Let's be honest: In the short term, there is no indication of a clear and lasting decrease.

We can have:

• occasional drops during restocks,
• very targeted promotions,
• but the average price level seems to be settling higher than at the end of 2025.

If you wait for "the perfect right moment", you risk especially... to wait a long time .

If you are looking for the best prices, you will need to compare with all retailers, especially in neighboring countries. Good news, DropReference does this directly for you!

Why are graphics cards still increasing in 2026?

Because the demand remains very strong while the volumes actually available are limited.

Is AMD still a real cheaper alternative?

Less and less. Differences still exist, but they are clearly decreasing.

Should we buy now or wait?

If you see a price close to an old floor, waiting can be risky. The real good windows are becoming shorter and shorter.